Basingstoke

Community groups to get county funding

TWO Basingstoke groups have been awarded grants to promote culture, community and recreation.

The Drum Runners and Kala the Arts were given £2,130 and £2,000 respectively from Hampshire County Council. Councillor Keith Chapman, the council’s executive member for culture, recreation and countryside, awarded the funding at his latest decision day meeting.

The two Basingstoke groups were among 32 organisations which will receive funding for 2014-15.

Drum Runners, in partnership with Serenity Centre, requested the funds to provide community support and engagement for the users of the Camrose Homeless Centre, in the form of music workshops called Serenity Sounds.

The application stated: “Serenity Sounds offers a change of environment with professional and creative support for local homeless people to find a place in life in order to move forward with their goals and ambitions.

“This project provides a song and music writing programme, giving homeless participants in Basingstoke the opportunity to develop new skills and express themselves.”

Around 200 people are set to benefit from the project, which will be run by the Serenity Centre.

Kala the Arts was awarded £2,000 to create a new dance workshop in contemporary South Asian dance style.

Its application said: “This project aims to bring together different community groups including Nepalese, South Asian and other community groups.”

Six schools would be involved in the project in Basingstoke and Hart along with students from Basingstoke College of Technology. About 2,700 people are expected to benefit from the project.

Cllr Chapman said: “These groups provide opportunities for people to participate and enjoy a range of community focused, cultural and recreational activities.”